Yes, black holes can be considered hot, but it's a nuanced concept. While the interior of a black hole is incredibly cold, the event horizon is extremely hot.
The Temperature of a Black Hole
It's crucial to distinguish between different parts of a black hole when discussing temperature.
- Stellar Black Holes: These are remarkably cold, with temperatures close to absolute zero, around -273.15 degrees Celsius. As the reference states, "Stellar black holes are very cold: they have a temperature of nearly absolute zero – which is zero Kelvin, or −273.15 degrees Celsius."
- Supermassive Black Holes: Even colder than stellar black holes.
- Event Horizon: This is where things get hot. The event horizon, the boundary beyond which nothing can escape, has an incredibly high temperature.
Why the Confusion?
The concept of a black hole having a temperature arises from the effects of quantum mechanics combined with general relativity, especially through the idea of Hawking radiation. In this theory, black holes emit thermal radiation, giving them a temperature inversely proportional to their mass.
Summary
| Feature | Temperature | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Stellar Black Hole | Near Absolute Zero | Extremely cold core as mentioned in reference |
| Supermassive Black Hole | Even colder than stellar | |
| Event Horizon | Extremely Hot | Due to Hawking Radiation |
Conclusion
Black holes, while very cold in their interior, have an event horizon with a very high temperature. This temperature difference is a unique characteristic.
